Tropical forests are found in areas where the climate is humid. On the other hand, it needs a type of warm climate, that is, a tropical climate and from this it derives its name. For this reason, a tropical forest is a type of forest that is found in the area close to the equator, since it is there where the temperatures are similar in winter and summer, remaining stable (around 26º C).
This climate favors growth and conditions (rainfall and consequent humidity) that benefit a wide variety of plants. As a general characteristic, tropical forests are less than 1,200 meters above sea level, since at altitudes higher than this level, it is not possible to preserve tropical characteristics because the higher the temperature, the lower the temperature.
A classification of tropical forests can be made in:
- Dry tropical forest. Temperatures range between 15º and 25º. The thermal amplitudes between day and night are quite marked. The vegetation and wildlife vary considerably in relation to forests wet as a result of temperature variations. These types of forests have colors in the wide range of green in the rainy season, but they also have periods of drought. Here, the rainfall is between 1,000 and 2,000 millimeters (mm) per year, although in some dry forests it can only be around 100 mm per year.
- Monsoon tropical forest. It is also called a monsoon forest. It has a rainy season and a dry season, but the average annual rainfall here is 2,000 mm. In these cases, the dry and rainy season is just as long.
- Tropical rain forest. Also known as a rainforest. There is no dry season here. There is a very large vegetation and the solar radiation is very intense but only 2% reaches the ground, since the amount of vegetation prevents it. This type of forest has temperatures that oscillate between 23º and 26º C throughout the year.
Among the most common animals in tropical forests are, the monkey, spider monkey, anteater, squirrel, porcupine, eagle, tapir, crocodiles, snakes, a wide variety of spiders and insects, mammals of different sizes such as hares, rats or larger than coyote, deer, cougar, mice field, quail dove, mountain chicken and jaguar.
It is an area with low population density, since it is not easy to live in this environment: diseases such as malaria, dangerous species, poor communications, etc. An important part of the inhabitants is made up of indigenous peoples.
The tropical forest has a strategic value in relation to the sustainability of the planet. There are groups that protect it and fight for its maintenance. Others try to exploit the resources.
